Goals before TTC?

So I am newly married (a bit over a month), and while baby fever has been an issue for me in the past, it has officially overtaken my whole brain. I literally cannot stop thinking about how much I want to start a family with my wonderful hubby, and it consumes my thoughts day and night.. I even dream about being pregnant EVERY.SINGLE,NIGHT. All my life, all I have ever wanted is to be a mom.. so needless to say, it is sometihng I am really looking forward to.

Hubby is wonderfully practical, and says no babies yet, since we are young (not THAT young.. I am 22 and he is 24) and we want lots of time together before we have kids for the rest of forever. Now, I agree with that, since we talked about how we want plenty of time together before kids, just being married. Of course, I said that while I was not in the heat of baby fever… ugh. But I know it is smart and practical for us to wait three years. I am hoping we will begin NTNP in April around my 25th bdithday (and his 27th the following week) and then maybe actively TTC after our 3rd anniversary in June. I’m just trying to fill my brain with logic and good goals to work towards in the two and a half-ish years until then. So far I have come up with the following:

Get a new car for me.. currently a 2-door 13 year old VW bug which is on its last limb and not appropriate for toting kids around.. Hubby says around 15000.

I work at a tax office during tax season, amounting to 15,000 per season, so I am thinking with those three pre-preg tax seasons, we could accomplish all these, and then my fourth pregnant tax season, we could just use the money for savings for baby costs… But what else can we think of doing? We aren’t planning to buy a home anytime soon, since we live in Southern CA and houses are quite expensive, and we want to wait until we are in a good financial spot, so.. what else can I fill my brain up with? I feel like I need a pet or something to focus on haha I’m literally DYING to start our family.

Wow that was a long thing to just ask.. What are good goals to have in the 3 year wait to TTC? And also, what are some good projects for in the meantime? Ones that will pass lots of time.. Thanks everyone!!

I’m right there with you about the baby fever! Lol we will be trying in 3 years as well. Before ttc I will be getting my masters in speech pathology, we want to redo a lot of our house maybe adding on to it, and were planning a big trip for right before we ttc as kind of like our last hoorah. I’ve been able to keep my mind busy with my classes and wedding planninduring being a nanny of twin 1 year olds surprisingly isn’t helping cure the baby fever! Lol trentire just enjoy married life, I know it’s a lot easier said than done, and maybe plan a trip for the two of you that you couldnt do with a baby. Good luck!

I’m 31 and we’re on our first cylce TTC. For me, when I look back on the last ten years, child-free, I wouldn’t trade that time for anything. I’ve learned so much and done so much and really become the person I want to be. I loved to travel before I met my husband and we have loved traveling together (we’ve been to Fiji, China, Tibet, Europe, the Middle East and Africa together). I LOVE traveling and having adventures. We plan to travel with our future kids, but we couldn’t do the crazy trips we’ve done with kids, at least not little kids. I’ve also had an awesome time working at jobs I’ve loved and then spending my free time recreating. I didn’t even want a dog for a long time because I just wanted to do what I wanted, when I wanted, and not have to worry about getting home after work or whatnot. I’ve also spent a lot of spontaneous, active, awesome quality time with my husband, doing things that aren’t necessarily kid-friendly (skiing, mainly). Anyways, I would absolutely, totally recommend waiting at least a year or two; you probably don’t wait to wait until you’re 31 like me lol. Good luck to you and enjoy your married life!!

Major baby fever here too! I don’t know how I’m going to survive until DH decides he wants to start TTC. I’m the planner in our relationship, so I’m in full baby planning mode! “No, we can’t put a couch in the den, that’s going to be the nursery!” LOL! I’m probably driving him crazy and I’m not even pregnant yet. But I have started to research pregnancy and that’s keeping me occupied. I feel like I have so much research to do! After reading about pregnancy, I’ll move on to birthing books and then parenting books…I’m trying to eat well and learn more about nutrition…and of course, I’m working out more and trying to keep my body in good baby-making shape! So, I’m finding ways to occupy my time. I even went out and bought candlesticks knowing I want to use them to tell my DH that I’m pregnant over the traditional home-cooked dinner…but I’m nowhere near getting pregnant! 😛

You are VERY YOUNG (yes, you are)!! A baby will change your entire lives. You should enjoy your marriage and youth and not be in any hurry. I am SO HAPPY I did not have children in my 20s. I got to be selfish and do what I wanted, travel where I wanted, without much regard for anyone else. It’s great. You don’t have to wait until 30, but at I’d wait at least 3 years.

@future_mrs_s: baby fever is in its early stages over here. We are both 24, been together for 8 tears, married 1 year.

we’ve just bought our 1st house so we are busy busy busy with home renovations right now to help keep our heads on straight. I told him i want large home renovations completed before we start TTC. This should actually work in my favor since DH is eager to start TTC!

We are currently looking to expand our “family” by rescuing a dog, so hopefully that will help us also get used to caring for someting other than just ourselves — and i’ll be able to buy toys, treats, etc. to spoil him/her! =)

I’m with you on the student loan issue, together we make some pretty hefty monthly payments toward our loans, and while we are doing very well for ourselves, we’d like to chissel away some of that debt 1st, if not get rid of all of it!

Dont worry girl you have PLENTY of time. You will be glad you waited, trust me.

We made a little list of what we want to accomplish first recently.

1. Build addition on house or move to a larger one

2. Alaskan cruise

3. Trip to Greece or Italy

4. Ensure debt is paid off

5. I’d like to ensure i am off all my current medications

6. We both want to be able to say “yes, i’m ready”

i’ll be honest, the trips can potentially wait since we are already going away for two weeks in January, and i dont know if we will ever be able to say we are truly ready, so i’m really just waiting for the green light from hubs.